We aim to use culture to tackle some of the worlds most pressing
problems. Many of the issues we face, from the personal to the global,
have a cultural dimension.

We use cultural methods to combat issues related to health,
environmental change, or trauma caused by political upheaval or
conflict. Different cultural approaches can enable us to respond to and
engage with challenges in distinctive ways.

Through co-production of research, creative projects and cultural
engagement, our researchers and practitioners are harnessing culture as
an agent of change.

Key strengths

Our researchers are developing cultural
solutions that bring about change through shaping behaviour,
understanding or wellbeing. We are continually looking to spark
innovative collaborations, harnessing the skills and talents of Leeds
researchers to explore new areas and dare to take risks.

Our research is enriched by working in partnership with the creative and cultural industries, enabled through our Cultural Institute. Our collaborations strengthen existing links and build new partnerships with a broad range of external partners.
we work with the creative and cultural industries. Together we produce
research which helps people to imagine, interpret and understand
solutions to key global challenges.

Our research focuses on the following areas: medical humanities, culture
and policy, digital cultures, conflict, memory and trauma,
environmental humanities, and language and culture

Facts and figures

Arts and Culture contribute £11.8bn to the UK economy each year,
and in 2015 grew by 10% - five times faster than the UK economy as a
whole.

UK universities concentrated in the arts and humanities make up a
third of the worlds top three positions (QS world rankings 2018).

Leeds is recognised as a global centre of research and teaching
excellence in the Arts and Humanities, regularly ranked by QS in the
worlds top 100, with world-class archives and facilities.

We have more than 300 staff associated with the culture theme at Leeds.

Since 2012 culture researchers have worked with more than 700
third, public and private sector individuals, companies and
organisations.

The Cultural Institute is an Arts Council England National
Portfolio Organisation, delivering a CPD programme in fundraising for UK
arts professionals in consortium with Cause4 and the Arts Marketing
Association. Our National Summer School in Arts Fundraising and
Leadership is the first of its kind in Europe.

Our work in practice

Changing The Story

Our researchers are working with
young people in post-conflict countries to support them in building of
inclusive societies. Working in a range of countries including Cambodia,
Colombia, Kosovo, Rwanda and South Africa, this four-year programme
draws together universities, international non-governmental
organisations, grassroots civil society organisations and young people
across the world.

Through methods such as participatory film-making, young
people can communicate their experiences and perspectives of conflict in
a creative way. The programme brings together arts and humanities
researchers with social scientists to deliver practical approaches to
international development.Virtual Holocaust Memoryscapes

We
are using digital technologies to help preserve memories and places
connected with the Holocaust. Using 360 degree photography and sound
recording, we are creating immersive, interactive and virtual resources.
These virtual environments are based on painstakingly collated
archival content such as films, photographs, diaries and oral
testimonies.

By amalgamating these and making them accessible through a
virtual reality headset, website or mobile app, people will be able to
experience a virtual memory of the Holocaust. The project aims to
ensure that Holocaust memory remains relevant for future generations.

BBC archives: creating living resources through public collaboration and engagement